Page 25 - February 2023
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AREA SPOTLIGHT

 The best places to live for an
 easy commute  award-winning restaurants and outstanding   Galashiels
        accommodation to suit all budgets.
                                          In the heart of the Borders, the popular town of
        Peebles also has the distinction of being
                                          Galashiels  makes  an  excellent  option  for  many
        ranked as the Top Independent Retailing
                                          prospective  buyers  including  first-time  buyers,
        Town in Scotland, and second in the UK,
        for its range of independent shops.  families looking for an affordable starter home,
                                          downsizers, those interested in buying a holiday
                                          home, or property investors looking for buy-to-
        You can travel to Edinburgh from Peebles   let  opportunities.  The  average  property  price  in
        by bus, which departs from Peebles Post   Galashiels is £138,298.
        Office  and  takes  an  hour  and  will  cost
 The rising cost of living, working from home and a desire for   £4-6 for a single ticket. Typically 208   Galashiels  benefits  from  a  direct  rail  service  to
 more space and a garden may be reasons why you are thinking   services run weekly, although weekend   Edinburgh Waverley. The train takes around 50
        and holiday schedules can vary. Driving to   minutes and costs from £11.70 for a return ticket. You
 of moving outside Edinburgh city centre, but what are the best   Edinburgh from Peebles takes around an   can also travel by bus which takes from 90 minutes
 areas for an easy commute to the Capital?  hour, depending on traffic.   to two hours and costs £13.90 - £15.20 for a return
                                          trip. Travelling by car from Galashiels to Edinburgh
                                          takes from 55 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

 ocation is one of the most important
 factors when choosing a home. Moving
 Lto a different part of the city or to the
 countryside can be daunting but if you do your        Commuting from Fife
 research,  you  should  find  somewhere  to  suit
 your lifestyle and budget.                            Fife is popular with a wide range of
                                                       demographics - including families,
 Commuting from the Borders                            retirees and students due to its
                                                       typically lower property prices,
 With charming country cottages; traditional           culture and fantastic outdoor
 and  modern  flats;  new  builds  and  farm           activities. The average property
 conversions, the Borders is an appealing place        price in Fife is £237,723.
 to live for a range of buyers.
                                          Dunfermline
 One of the biggest incentives for Borders   Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city, is packed with
 buyers is the strong affordability of homes in   heritage and history, and it’s increasingly popular
 the area – in November 2022-January 2023, the   with  families  and  first-time  buyers  as  it  is  just  15
 average selling price was £237,600.      miles from the Capital. The average property price
                                          in the city is £205,705.
 Peebles
 Peebles, a small town set along the beautiful   There’s easy access to the M90 for the Queensferry
 River Tweed, is only 23 miles south of Edinburgh   Crossing and driving into Edinburgh takes just 35
 with an average selling price of £313,032.  minutes. Public transport is good too, with a bus
                                          station and two railway stations (Dunfermline
 The town has something for everyone,     City and Dunfermline Queen Margaret) that have
 from  outdoors  activities  like  fishing,  walking,     Peebles  regular  links across  the country.  Prices  start at
 golf, cycling and horse riding to fine shopping,     £6.30 for a return ticket.

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